Lexus UX - a new Japanese crossover as a "lollipop behind glass"
The UX will hit Lexus dealerships sometime soon. Nevertheless, we already had the opportunity to make the first test drives and form an opinion about the smallest crossover of the Japanese brand.
This will not be a typical report from the first races, not to mention the test. We will rather focus on sensations. And all because of the haste, and it's not ours. The Japanese manufacturer decided to invite us to the presentation of a car that will not be on sale in six months. True, the first orders may be placed as early as this calendar year, but a natural question arises: is it worth it to hurry?
Lexus reacted quite late to the needs of the market. The competition has long had something to say about this. Mercedes is tempting with the GLA, Audi is about to introduce a second batch of Q3s, and Volvo has won the 40 Car of the Year award for its XC2018. Quite a different character of the Mini Countryman. This, of course, is not all. The Jaguar E-Pace and Infiniti QX1 are also doing their best. As you can see, there is competition, and he even managed to win the sympathy of buyers and take root on European roads. How is Lexus going to perform in this group?
As befits a modern representative of the Toyota concern, the new Lexus UX should be distinguished by its characteristic style and hybrid drives, which have already become the hallmark of the Japanese manufacturer. If these are our expectations, then UX lives up to them one hundred percent.
Design is the strength of the small Lexus. The body and interior contain many elements known from the brand's top models, such as the LS limousine and the LC coupe. At the same time, some details were added that have not been in any model so far. Such a distinctive feature, of course, are the "fins" integrated into the back of the case. They are reminiscent of American cruisers of the 50s of the last century, like their seeds, but they are not only decoration. Their function is to correctly shape the air flow around the body in such a way as to minimize air resistance.
A practical element that drivers in large agglomerations will appreciate are the slightly sideways, unpainted wheel arches. Their special shape has also been designed so that the air jets are separated from the moving vehicle, but above all, they protect the valuable paint from minor abrasions. The lower door sills built into the doors perform the same function. They cover real thresholds, absorb the impact of stones and protect the feet of incoming people from dirt, which we especially appreciate in winter.
At the front, the UX is typical Lexus. The hourglass-shaped grille in the version shown in the photos lends character to the eye-catching F Sport styling. Unfortunately, Lexus has succumbed to the latest fashion for a flat, two-dimensional company badge. The consolation is that it is embedded in a dummy that does not dazzle with its simple form.
sashiko interior
The premium segment of compact crossovers is not free from quality flaws. Unfortunately, some manufacturers clearly believe that the smallest models can be made of significantly lower quality or materials that are inconsistent with brands that offer more than just a regular car.
Lexus went down this path? Absolutely not. The first few seconds spent in the car are enough to be convinced of the diligence with which these cars were built. We've had the opportunity to drive pre-production cars before, and on those occasions we've always been asked to ignore hand-built imperfections that disappear when the manufacturing process is complete. In doing so, we did not have to turn a blind eye to anything and if the stock UX maintains this level, then it will still be one of the most advanced cars in its segment. The so-called “Lexus feel” is enhanced by high-quality stitching inspired by the traditional craft called sashiko, decorative paper-look materials, or – in the highest performance – “3D” illuminated air vent handles.
One of the weaknesses of the UX is revealed when the tailgate is lifted. The trunk seems quite small for a 4,5-meter body. Lexus didn't specifically mention its capacity, as the shape and capacity will change. The potential can be seen by raising the floor, under which a deep bathtub is hidden. We have no objection to the seat in the cabin. Although from the outside it may seem that the low body will not give extra space, people taller than 180 cm will comfortably fit on the back sofa and will not complain about either the sloping roof or the lack of legroom.
There is also a lot of space in the front, and the driver's seat has a very wide range of height adjustments. The standard seat in this car is quite low, so the engineers were guided by the idea to achieve a low center of gravity. The goal is said to be achieved and the UX has the lowest center of gravity in the segment. This, of course, translates into handling, which should be as close as possible to the "passenger" models.
laser precision
Lexus UX will go on sale in three drive versions. They all rely on a two-liter gasoline engine without a supercharger, but each is completely different from the other. The UX 200 version (171 km) will be the cheapest and will not be electrified. Front-wheel drive is transmitted via a new D-CVT (Direct-Shift Continuous Variable Transmission) that adds a classic first gear to ensure quick starts without unloved driver howls. You can also understand that this is an automatic transmission in which there are two gears, the first with a fixed gear ratio, and the second with a variable gear ratio.
Lexus specialization is, of course, combined drives. UX 250h - 178 hp system hybrid front-wheel drive, while the UX 250h E-Four has the same horsepower as the base hybrid, but an additional electric motor on the rear axle helps realize 4x4 drive.
We spent the first kilometers behind the wheel of a Lexus UX, dealing with hybrid drive and front-wheel drive. What we immediately pay attention to is the incredibly refined steering. On the one hand, it is not sharp and sporty, so as not to alienate drivers looking for relaxation behind the wheel, but at the same time it is characterized by an almost laser-like precision of control. A minimum of movement is enough and the car immediately adjusts to the chosen course. No, this does not mean nervousness - random movements are excluded, and in every split second the driver feels that he is driving a car and nothing is left to chance.
The Swedish roads near Stockholm, where the first races took place, are not famous for poor coverage, so it’s hard to say anything about damping deep bumps. During normal driving, the suspension works well, in tighter turns it holds the body firmly and protects it from excessive roll. This is where the low center of gravity certainly helps. To sum up, the small Lexus is a pleasure to drive, and while Toyota's small hybrids are not associated with driving pleasure, the new UX proves that the two worlds can be combined.
We will not deny that Lexus will present the UX model for sale in a completely unchanged form (except for the trunk, as the representatives of the brand personally promised) and that it will retain all the advantages that we discovered during the first ride. But if this is the case, and you trust the Lexus brand, then you can blindly order the new Lexus UX. This is a very good car, which has a chance to become even better in the next six months.
The price list is not yet known, perhaps we will find out in about a month, when Lexus starts taking the first orders. Production starts next year, the first cars will be delivered to Poland in March. Before this event, there will be another presentation, this time of the final version, so if in doubt, you can always wait with a decision and wait for the final assessment.
